(Thursday, October 17, 2024) – Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Thursday announced more than $2 million across 23 grants to support Michigan specialty crop growers who produce fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, hops, flowers, and other nursery products. The grants were awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which Stabenow created in the 2008 Farm Bill.  

Stabenow said: “Michigan farmers produce more than 300 different crops, making our state one of the most agriculturally diverse in the country. These crops are critical to our economy, and these grants will ensure that Michigan’s specialty crop producers continue to thrive.” 

Prior to 2008, the federal Farm Bill focused on traditional commodity crops and had no section dedicated to fruits and vegetables. In 2008, Senator Stabenow authored the first-ever fruits and vegetables section of a Farm Bill to provide support for the specialty crops that are vital to Michigan’s economy. Senator Stabenow continues to leverage her position as Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee to strengthen support for these crops and make major investments in organic crops and local and regional food systems. 

The funds will help growers promote their products at home and abroad, protect crops from pests and diseases, improve sustainability and climate resiliency, and boost market competitiveness for specialty crop farmers across Michigan.  

The 23 grant projects include:

• Allen Neighborhood Center – $102,611
• Hop Growers of Michigan – $94,000
• Michigan Ag Council – $100,000
• Michigan Apple Committee – $125,000
• Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board – $124,984
• Michigan Bean Commission – $99,894
• Michigan Bean Commission – $80,665
• Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee – $6,431
• Michigan Blueberry Commission – $100,000
• Michigan Carrot Committee – $99,693
• Michigan Celery Research, Inc. – $99,283
• Michigan Cherry Committee – $98,995
• Michigan Christmas Tree Association – $75,002
• Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council – $100,000
• Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association – $99,925
• Michigan Potato Industry Commission – $99,644
• Michigan State Horticultural Society – $125,000
• Michigan Tree Fruit Commission – $97,208
• Michigan Vegetable Council – $99,576
• Michigan Vegetable Council – $100,000
• Midwest Chestnut Producers Council – $99,000
• West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. – $42,379.34
• MI Department of Agriculture & Rural Development International Marketing Program – $155,267.69
  
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If you haven't seen it yet, here is Chris Holman's interview with Senator Stabenow from this year's Mackinac Policy Conference:

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